The 16th edition of the Indian Premier League keeps on producing exciting games for the fans. On Tuesday, the world saw another blockbuster clash, which was a high-scoring contest. Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore locked horns at the Wankhede Stadium.
The five-time champions registered a spectacular chase in grand fashion. In the first inning, RCB had a horrible start, with Virat Kohli (1) and Anuj Rawat (6) getting out early. But Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis provided them with a brilliant flourish in the middle overs.
Both batsmen scored a half-century each and added 120 runs in just 61 balls for the third wicket. That partnership gave RCB a brilliant platform. Maxwell smashed 68 off 33 at a strike rate of 206.06, while the RCB skipper scored 65 off 41, with five fours and three maximums.
However, once the partnership was broken, RCB managed only 63 runs off the last 45 balls and ended at 199/6 in 20 overs. Mumbai had a decent start with a 51-run opening stand. Rohit Sharma struggled for his 8-ball 7, but Ishan Kishan played a blinder of 42 off 21.
However, both openers got out in the fifth over of the inning. But after that, there was no looking back for the five-time champions. Suryakumar Yadav and Nehal Wadhera took the game out of RCB’s reach and scored the highest IPL partnership against Bangalore for MI.
Both batters scored 140 runs for the third wicket in just 10.4 overs and took MI to victory. Suryakumar looked at his vintage best and smashed a 35-ball 83 at a strike rate of 237.14. Wadhera also supported him well, with an unbeaten 52 off 34. MI chashed down the target of 200 in just 16.3 overs and registered a six-wicket win.
This win has helped MI create two big records in the IPL. Mumbai became the only team to chase down the target of 200 or more three times in one IPL edition. They have done it three times in 2023; earlier, PBKS and CSK did it twice each in 2014 and 2018, respectively.
On the other hand, MI also reached the target with 21 balls in hand, going past DC’s record for fastest chase of 200 or more target. Delhi chased the target of 208 in 2017 against the Gujarat Lions with 15 balls in hand, and MI did it with 21 balls left last night.
